On January 1, 2017, Delta Dental of Alaska (DDAK) will implement the new codes that the ADA has outlined in CDT-17. The table below shows how the DDAK standard contract will cover these new CDT-17 codes.

Please refer to the group limitations of each patient's plan in Benefit Tracker for specific benefit information as some plans may handle the codes differently than the DDAK standard contract.

Also, code D0290 (posterior anterior or lateral skull and facial bone survey radiographic image) will be deleted with CDT-17. This means that DDAK will no longer accept this deleted code after March 31, 2017.

CDT-2017 code books can be purchased through the American Dental Association at ada.org.

New CDT codes covered under DDAK Standard Commercial plans. No other new codes will be covered by Standard plans.

Code

Description

Comments

D1575

Distal shoe space maintainer - fixed - unilateral.

a. Limited to children 8 and younger.b. Fees for repairs and adjustments by same dentist/dental office are DISALLOWED.

D4346

Scaling in the presence of generalized moderate or severe gingival inflammation - full mouth, after oral evaluation.

Same frequency as D1110, D1120 and D4910.

Questions?Please contact the Delta Dental of Alaska Dental Customer Service department toll-free at 877-277-7280 or email us at
dental@modahealth.com.

Pain management therapy and non-narcotic analgesics

There are many post-procedural analgesic agents available for customized management of outpatient

dental pain. General pain management rules of thumb include prescribing low doses for short amounts of time and minimizing opioid prescriptions. Given the recent increase in opioid abuse and overdoses, it is critical to be aware of and utilize non-narcotic pain control management strategies. While short courses of opioids can be effective and necessary in some patients, other pharmacologic therapies such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be useful alternatives.

Selecting which non-narcotic analgesic can depend on numerous patient-specific factors. For example,

NSAIDs may be a good choice in patients who may take other medications that contain acetaminophen to avoid going over the acetaminophen maximum daily dose of four grams. Patients with gastrointestinal concerns can use alternatives to conventional NSAIDs such as the selective cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibitor celecoxib. A third consideration may be to use acetaminophen

instead of NSAIDs in patients with heart failure. NSAIDs can cause fluid retention and edema. Keeping in mind patient-specific factors when choosing therapy can help provide the best pain management and minimize adverse effects.

* Risk of hepatotoxicity at doses higher than the FDA max* Use with caution in patients who may be on othermedications that contain additional acetaminophen* 4 g max/day or 3g for Tylenol Extra Strength

Ibuprofen (Motrin)

200-400mg every 4-6 hours as needed

30-60 minutes

4-6 hours

_______________________

* Take with food to avoid GI upset

Diclofenac

50 mg three times daily as needed (immediate release tablets)

30-60 minutes

~4-6 hours

* Potential to cause GI bleed, avoid in patients with GI problems

* Use caution in patients with kidney problems

Naproxen (Aleve)

220 mg every 8-12 hours (OTC)or 550 mg every 12 hours (Rx)

30-60minutes

<12 hours

* Avoid use in patients with heart failure

________________________

Celecoxib (Celebrex)

200 mg twice daily as needed

2-3 hours

~12 hours

* Potential option for patients with GI problemswho cannot take other NSAIDs* Do not use in patients with a sulfa allergy

Dental Professionals are here to help

As we strive to provide excellent service to our providers and members, an important aspect of that service is updating your records with new practice purchases, moves, additional locations and provider hires. This aids with claims processing and helps your patients find you using our online provider search tool, Find Care. To do this, however, we need your help.

Get credentialed

The first step to adding a new provider or new practice is to get credentialed with Delta Dental of Alaska. Credentialing is verifying elements of a licensed practitioner's training and experience. This helps ensure Delta Dental members have access to quality dentists within the Delta Dental provider network.

The Delta Dental credentialing program is based on standards of national, federal and state accrediting and regulatory agencies. After the initial credentialing is completed, re-credentialing takes place every three years. To remain a participating Delta Dental provider, the re-credentialing application must be completed and returned.

Do you anticipate a move or change?

If you have an upcoming move,
a new location, billing address change or a Tax Identification Number (TIN) change, please notify our Dental Professional Relations team. We want to keep your records up-to-date. Updating changes helps ensure your payments are sent to the correct address, reduces claims

As a valued partner of our dental family, we appreciate everything you do for our members. If you have any questions, please call us at 888-374-8905. You may also email us at dpr@modahealth.com.

Take the pledge to end opioid use

Healthcare professionals are joining the Turn the Tide campaign to help curb widespread abuse of opioid pain medications. Please visit
turnthetiderx.org to take the pledge.

Thanks for helping update our dental provider directory

We'd like to thank each dental office that responded to our dental provider accuracy update request. Your participation is very important to helping us meet our goal of 100 percent accuracy so patients can easily find you.

We appreciate your time and thank you for helping us provide our members access to the highest quality of dental care throughout the state.